How come you're expats?

Consider myself an immigrant, the term expat has never sat well with me.

Was following Wales during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and set off to Brussels with a few mates for the game in Nov 2014. The day before the match, one of the guys had his heart set on going to Le Cercueil, "coffin bar", and the night passed us by until one of the others spotted it in the corner of his eye. We ended up taking this large corner table so had different groups share it with us throughout the evening. A little later just before we were planning to leave the bar a group of Swiss people came and sat by us, and overhearing our group speaking in English one of the women gestured her friend to sit next to me. Made polite conversation that seemingly did the trick because she's now my fiancée and mother to our wonderful little boy.

After Brussels, we travelled back and forth to see each other every other week or so for just over a year until I found a job and moved to Switzerland on Christmas Eve 2015. Been living here ever since and feeling really settled into life here.

I've always wanted to move somewhere warmer and being from Brynmawr the choices are endless.

Switzerland is definitely warmer in the summer months and has a lot less rain than you would typically experience back home. And winter is not particularly that cold unless you reside in the mountains, but I love the aspect of being able to enjoy every season here.

Do you miss Wales?

Of course, it's amplified the past 18 months due to the pandemic, I have a son who has not see his grandparents back in Wales since Christmas '19 so it's a tough reminder. But as for myself, other than missing family, I really miss weekend routines when Cardiff had a game and venturing to the Cornwall before kick off. I really miss shops being open late and I'm Sunday's, that took a bit of getting used to. I miss he comfort food but I cook a roast dinner every now and again and have essentials such as HP sauce etc... Which help to stir nostalgia.

Do you think you'll ever move back?

No, I miss my family and friends back home but settled here and have been made to feel very welcome by my fiancée's extended family. Work prospects are good here, and I honestly feel I have a better opportunity at carving out a good standard of life here for my family and myself compared to the prospects of relocating back to Wales.